1 . In spring, you may be fortunate enough to have good weather, a small piece of earth and the energy, enthusiasm and inspiration to plant a garden. There is nothing better to shake off the boredom and dullness of winter than to dig in the earth, plant some seeds and watch them grow. A small garden can produce something extra fresh for dinner, flowers for the table and a feeling of accomplishment. It is work, but it is ever so rewarding.
What about your life garden? Just as a beautiful garden is a work in progress, so is the garden in your mind. It takes effort, planning, nurturing (培育) and weeding to grow a garden. What have you planted—what have you allowed to take root? Is your life the picture of a well laid out garden or an untidy mixture of plants, trees and weeds whose seeds were blown your way and took root?
We have all heard phrases like “sowing seeds of doubt” or “sowing seeds of discontent”. We can make a careful choice whether to allow them to take root in our lives or throw them out of our garden. Negative energy and words, like weeds, will spread quickly if left unchecked. Find a good “weed killer”—a book, an inspirational story, positive affirmations (肯定) —to help you get rid of the thoughts that reduce the beauty of your garden.
Plant as many seeds of joy and beauty as you can — in your own life and in the lives of the people with whom you live and work every day. Grow a gratitude garden, a peace garden and a dream garden. Look after them daily. If you give them time and energy, you will have a rich harvest of success, happiness and peace of mind.
1. Why does the author tell us the benefits of growing a garden?| A．To lead to the life garden. | B．To introduce a rewarding work. |
| C．To show his love for gardening. | D．To suggest a way to kill boredom. |
| A．It changes all the time. |
| B．It needs our effort and nurturing. |
| C．It can make us happy and grateful in life. |
| D．It is full of both positive and negative energy. |
| A．They are a natural part of life. |
| B．They are often left unchecked. |
| C．They are difficult to be removed. |
| D．They need to be removed before they spread. |
| A．Reading a dull book. | B．Expressing our discontent. |
| C．Having positive selftalks. | D．Pulling up weeds in the garden. |
2 . Madison Williams was studying in her bedroom when her mother, Leigh Williams, came in and shouted, “A little boy fell into a septic tank (化粪池)!” Then she asked her 13-year-old daughter if she could help.
Madison and Leigh ran to a neighbor’s yard, where they found the boy’s mad mother and other adults around the septic tank. Madison quickly examined the situation. She was the only one who could fit through the small hole. Without waiting a second, she got on her stomach next to the opening, placed her arms out in front of her, and told the adults, “Lower me in.”
Leigh and others held her waist and legs. Inside, the tank was dark, and the air was terrible. In the process, she stuck her left wrist (手腕) against a pole, hurting the muscles in her wrist and arm so seriously that the hand was useless. Rather than deal with her pain, Madison looked for the boy in the water with her eyes and right hand. Minutes went by before she saw his foot. Madison shot her right hand out and held the foot tightly. “Pull me up!” she shouted to the others above.
As they were pulled up, the boy’s free foot got stuck inside the hole. “Lower me down!” she shouted. Then, ten minutes after Madison had entered the tank, they were lifted out. But the boy wasn’t breathing for the lack of fresh air. He was placed on his side, and an adult gave him several hard hits on the back. It was only when Madison heard him cry that she knew he was all right.
1. How did Madison know what had happened?| A．She saw it herself. | B．She heard a cry for help. |
| C．Her mother told her about it. | D．Her mother asked her to help. |
| A．The boy’s cry of surprise. | B．People’s call. |
| C．Her mother’s bravery. | D．Her own willingness. |
| A．He was saved finally. | B．He was drowned to death. |
| C．He wasn’t breathing. | D．He was sent to hospital. |
| A．A girl and her brave mother. | B．A drowning boy in the water. |
| C．A boy falling into a septic tank. | D．A girl voluntarily saving a little boy. |
3 . Those who work on the “996” model (where employees work from 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week) must envy their counterparts (对应的人)in an American company, because they have a shorter work week. Basecamp, a Chicago-based web application company gives all his employees a short work week: just four days—a total of 32 hours, between May and September every year. Also, they usually work five days a week for the rest of the year.
“That’s plenty of time to get great work done. This is all we expect and all we want from people,” says Jason Fried, a co-founder. “Working 60-plus, or 70-plus hours is unnecessary. In fact, if you have to work 60-plus or 70-plus hours a week, there’s a management problem.”
The company’s summer workload must fit reduced hours, Mr. Fried insists, otherwise the benefits of a shorter week - to recover from work, enjoy time with family and develop outside interests - would be undone.
His new research finds that it is not just long hours that are harmful to employees’ physical and mental health. It is also the intensity (强度)of work. Moreover, it suggests that intensity work harms career prospects (前景).That is because unbearable hours and intensity are in the opposite direction, reducing the quality of the work.
The research concludes that the level of intensity we apply to the work we do is generally “a stronger predictor of unfavorable outcomes than overtime work”. The research compared people of similar jobs and education levels, and found they were more likely to suffer poorer happiness and worse career prospects, including satisfaction, security and promotion, when they worked at an intense level for long periods.
1. What do we know about Basecamp’s four — day work week?| A．It lasts nearly half a year. | B．The work pressure is too high. |
| C．There are some management problems. | D．Employees work more than 8 hours a day. |
| A．Given plenty of time, people can do more. |
| B．To get work done well needs plenty of time. |
| C．People can do a job very well in a short work week. |
| D．A long work week is appropriate for reduced workload. |
| A．Getting much more rest. | B．Improving work quality. |
| C．Refusing a five-day work week. | D．Avoiding working too intensely. |
| A．More Work, More Profits | B．Shorter Week, Better Reward |
| C．Less Work, Less Benefits | D．Longer Hours, Higher Intensity |
4 . The fast spread of the virus has led most Chinese citizens to wear face masks in public to help reduce infections. The Beijing-based Hanwang Technology Ltd. says it has created a new facial recognition system that is the first to effectively identify people even if they are wearing masks.
China is recognized as a world leader in the development of artificial intelligence and facial recognition system. The new system is based on the existing technologies developed over the past 10 years.
“When wearing a mask, the recognition rate can reach about 95 percent, which can ensure that most people can be identified,” Hanwang’s vice president, Huang Lei, said. He added that the system’s success rate for people not wearing a mask is about 99.5 percent. However, the new system struggles to identify people wearing both a mask and sunglasses. “In this situation, all of the key facial information is lost. In such cases recognition is tough,” Huang said.
Hanwang is now selling two main kinds of products that use the technology. One performs “single channel” recognition and the other is a “multi-channel” recognition, which can identify individuals in a crowd of up to 30 people “within a second”.
Huang said officials can use Hanwang’s technology to compare images with ministry (部门) records on individuals in order to identify and track people as they move about. The system can identify crime suspects (嫌疑人), terrorists or make reports or warnings, he added.
While some citizens have expressed opposition to such tools, more people seem to have accepted the methods as a way to deal with the current health emergency.
So far, Huang says most interest in the new system has come from within China. But he sees the interest likely expanding if the virus continues to spread and the use of face masks increases.
1. What do we know about the new facial recognition system?| A．It has no relation to the existing tech. | B．It is being used both at home and abroad. |
| C．It can record people’s temperature. | D．It can be used for many purposes. |
| A．international companies | B．colleges and universities |
| C．the Ministry of Public Safety | D．the Ministry of Manpower |
| A．Supportive. | B．Disapproving. | C．Uncaring. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．To show China’s technological advances. | B．To introduce a newly developed system. |
| C．To demonstrate the innovation of China. | D．To advertise a new tech-based product. |
5 . “Are personal sad stories a must to win talent shows?” “Shouldn’t talent be judged on the basis of itself without needing a sad story of struggle to win?” These are questions Sanya Malhotra posed on a recent Facebook post.
This morning I came across this interesting post by Sanya Malhotra. She revealed that she loved dancing and dreamt of becoming an actress, but got defeated in “Dance India Dance” because her background story wasn’t sad and inspiring enough. That’s when she started doubting her artistic gift.
This really set me thinking. Why are people attracted to sob stories? Why do we always appreciate only those people who have achieved something after going through a lot of hardships? Why does the headline of a newspaper “Taxi-driver’s Son Stands First In UPSC Exam” find more readers? I think it is because most people, who are in a similar situation, find it comforting that someone has succeeded with so many hardships. I know it is really very difficult for people with financial, health, or family problems to overcome obstacles and succeed. I really feel proud of them and I am often touched and inspired by their stories.
Now come back to what Sanya has said. I think this is a talent show rather than a story-telling competition. When it comes to a competition of singing or dancing or any fine arts, all the competitors should be judged without any bias (偏见). No one should lose because they don’t have a sad story of struggle to tell. It’s very unfair. They can be given opportunities otherwise, but should not be judged because of their stories.
Maybe, the TV channels do it to attract more viewers, because the most important element of any reality show is these touching stories. But as Sanya has said, it’s unfair to those who haven't such a story and are equally talented.
1. What do we know about Sanya Malhotra?| A．She entered a talent show. | B．She won “Dance India Dance”. |
| C．She had a sad story to tell. | D．She was rejected in a film. |
| A．experienced many hardships | B．is a famous actress in Indian |
| C．has a great gift for gymnastics | D．used to be confident in her artistic talent |
| A．A Millionaire Donated Money To Harvard University. |
| B．A Gifted Indian Teenager Won “Dance India Dance”. |
| C．An Armless Girl Was Admitted To Harvard University. |
| D．A Freshman Paid Off Loans By Getting A Part-time Job. |
| A．Winners Should Be Determined By Public Judges |
| B．Sanya Malhotra Displayed A Great Artistic Gift |
| C．Competitors Should Not Be Judged By Sob Stories |
| D．Talent Shows Competitors Can Tell Their Stories |
6 . Being deaf in a hearing world can lead to painful feelings of isolation (孤独).
Waitress Kelsey recently shared an experience on a social media sharing site that quickly zoomed (陡直上升) to the top of the “ front page of the Internet”. In her brief post, Kelsey explained that she waits tables at a bar during the evenings, and one night she noticed a deaf man sitting alone in her section (区域).
When Kelsey isn’t working at the bar she makes a good hourly pay doing sign language interpretation (翻译), so she sensed an opportunity to use her skill to make this customer feel a little less alone in the world. She approached his table and began chatting with him in sign language.
When the table next to his noticed their silent conversation they asked Kelsey how long she’d been signing. They had a brief conversation about her goal of becoming certified (合格的) to interpret sign language in a medical or mental health setting.She didn’t think much about the whole exchange until the customers had left the restaurant and she was tidying up the tables. There, on the table of the customers who’d seen her American sign language conversation with the deaf man, was a handwritten note on the receipt.
“Thank you for what you do; it absolutely matters!” the note said. “Good luck with finishing your degree!” Not only that, but they’d left her a $100 tip.
Kelsey was moved by the kind note, especially because she wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. To her, she was just conversing with someone in a language that only they understood. Yet to the deaf man and the people seated next to him she’d bridged a gap and helped someone who probably feels lonely a lot of the time.
Kelsey shared the note on the Internet to spread more love and light in the world.
1. What do we know about Kelsey’s work at the bar？| A．It is her part-time job. |
| B．It goes beyond her ability. |
| C．It requires her to work all day long. |
| D．It offers her a chance to learn sign language. |
| A．He left Kelsey $100 as a tip. |
| B．He could use sign language. |
| C．He found it hard to communicate with Kelsey. |
| D．He was a friend of the customers at the next table. |
| A．She is wasting time working as a waitress. | B．She needs to study further for a degree. |
| C．She should use the Internet as a tool. | D．She is so kind to serve those in need. |
| A．Practice makes perfect. | B．It is never too late to learn. |
| C．Kindness is repaid with kindness. | D．When in Rome, do as Romans do. |
7 . Gretchen Altman is smiling, leaning back casually, a cup of coffee in hand — Hills Bros. Coffee, to be precise. It looks like a casual shot, but if you hit like, leave a comment, and tag a friend, you can get three different cups of coffee, for free.
Altman is part of a growing trend of "micro-influencers". She has a small following — around 6,000 on Instagram(社交平台). Her going rate is $300 to $800 to promote something. She does some posts in exchange for free goods, as long as it’s stuff she believes in.
As a micro-influencer she has a much closer relationship with her followers than a big social media star. "I’m just living a normal life and people relate to that," she says. "They just feel like I’m a friend of theirs."
But it worries consumer rights groups. Several recent studies have found that young audiences are largely unable to understand when something is sponsored content.
In some cases, it’s clear. When a big star takes to a social media to advertise Coca-Cola, for example, the assumption is that he or she’s probably getting paid to do so. And the posts are clearly labeled as ads, with the caption "advertisement" or "sponsored content".
But what happens when an everyday person with just a couple thousand followers takes to social media to extol(颂扬) the virtues of a product? The motivations are not so clear cut. The problem with these social media posts is that you don’t know whether it’s an ad or not.
Altman is diligent about using those hashtags(标签). She loves what she does and sees it as a business, but she doesn’t necessarily want to be a social media celebrity.
"With social media being so integrated into our everyday lives, we have this unique opportunity that I don’t think anyone has ever had before where we can each be our own brand," Altman says.
1. What does a micro-influencer do according to the passage?| A．Give enough likes. | B．Post to promote sales. |
| C．Recommend some comments. | D．Design advertisements. |
| A．Sponsored ads content. |
| B．Ads with caption on posts. |
| C．The unclear motivations of the posts. |
| D．The increasingly growing number of audiences. |
| A．Annoyed. | B．Delighted. | C．Ambitious. | D．Depressed. |
| A．Instagram Advertising: Do You Know It, When You See It |
| B．To be a Micro-influencer or to be a Big Star |
| C．We Can Each Be Our Own Top Brand |
| D．Hills Bros. Coffee, Your Coffee |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项 （A 、B 、C 和 D ）中，选出最佳选项，并在题卡上将该项涂黑。
Thanks for signing up for the 2016 Black Friday Turkey Trot! This email will provide some basics about the race and some great news!
First, your race packet (参赛物品包) is ready and can be picked up at the Fleet Feet Sports Tulsa location you’ve specified during registration.
Hours for pickup.
Tuesday, 10 am to 8 pm (Fleet Feet Kings Point)
Tuesday, 10 am to 7 pm (Fleet Feet Blue Dome)
Wednesday, 10 am to 5 pm (both stores, closing early for Thanksgiving)
Packets can also be picked up on the race day at BOK Center, beginning at 8:30 am.
Race Start Times
1) 5 mile, 8:30 am 2) 1 mile fun run, 9:30 am
Parking
There is surface parking to the east of the BOK Center, and some surface parking to the west of the Convention Center. Many lots will be pay-lots. Please pay attention to the signs. We suggest arriving early to find parking.
Racing Timing
The 5 km run will be timed using the BIB-TAG system. Your race number will have a timing device attached to the back of the race number; don't remove or bend this device. Simply wear the Bib on the front of your body on the outside of your clothing so it is visible and facing forward. You don't need to return the Bib, which is disposable.
The Turkey Trot is also a kick-off event for our weekend long “FITNATIC” celebration---we also have a huge number of events and specials all weekend. For more information, please visit http://www.fleetfeettulsa.fitnatic.com.
See you on Friday.
1. Where should a runner go to pick up his packet at 8:30 am on Friday?
| A．Kings Point. | B．Convention Center. |
| C．Blue Dome | D．BOK Center |
| A．Seven days. | B．Five days |
| C．Two days | D．One day. |
| A．To attract sports fans to apply for the activity. |
| B．To inform the race participants of the activity. |
| C．To describe details related to the activity. |
| D．To collect money for the parking-lots. |
9 . Facial expressions carry meaning that is determined by situations and relationships. For example, in American culture (文化) the smile is in general an expression of pleasure. Yet it also has other uses. A woman’s smile at a police officer does not carry the same meaning as the smile she gives to a young child. A smile may show love or politeness. It can also hide true feelings. It often causes confusion (困惑) across cultures. For example, many people in Russia consider smiling at strangers in public to be unusual and even improper. Yet many Americans smile freely at strangers in public places (although this is less common in big cities).Some Russians believe that Americans smile in the wrong places; some Americans believe that Russians don’t smile enough. In Southeast Asian cultures, a smile is frequently used to cover painful feelings. Vietnamese people may tell a sad story but end the story with a smile.
Our faces show emotions (情感), but we should not attempt to "read" people from another culture as we would "read" someone from our own culture. The fact that members of one culture do not express their emotions as openly as do members of another does not mean that they do not experience emotions.
Rather, there are cultural differences in the amount of facial expressions permitted. For example, in public and in formal situations many Japanese do not show their emotions as freely as Americans do. When with friends, Japanese and Americans seem to show their emotions similarly.
It is difficult to generalize about Americans and facial expressiveness because of personal and cultural differences in the United States. People from certain cultural backgrounds in the United States seem to be more facially expressive than others. The key is to try not to judge people whose ways of showing emotion are different. If we judge according to our own cultural habits, we may make the mistake of "reading" the other person incorrectly.
1. What does the smile usually mean in America?| A．Love. | B．Politeness. |
| C．Joy. | D．Thankfulness. |
| A．show friendliness to strangers |
| B．be used to hide true feelings |
| C．be used in the wrong places |
| D．show personal habits |
| A．Learn about their relations with others. |
| B．Understand their cultural backgrounds. |
| C．Find out about their past experience. |
| D．Figure out what they will do next. |
| A．Cultural Differences |
| B．Smiles and Relationship |
| C．Facial Expressiveness |
| D．Habits and Emotions |
According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power. Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter. This is the area of the brain which processes（处理） information. It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles(肌肉).
The study also found the effect is greater when the younger people learn a second language. A team led by Dr. Andrea Mechelli, from University College London, took a group of Britons who only spoke English. They were compared with a group of “early bilinguals” who had learnt a second language before the age of five, as well as a number of later learners. Scans showed that grey matter density (密度) in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language. But the longer a person waited before mastering a new language, the smaller the difference.“Our findings suggest that the structure（结构）of the brain is changed by the experience of learning a second language,” said the scientists.
It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn. Professor Dylan Vaughan Jones of the University of Wales, has researched the link between bilingualism and maths skills. “Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible (灵活的),” he said. “You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas.”
The findings had the same result in a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between the ages of two and thirty-four. Reading, writing, and comprehension were all tested. The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better. “Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world,” explained the scientists.
1. The main idea of this passage is ________.
| A．science on learning a second language |
| B．man’s ability of learning a second language |
| C．that language can help brain power |
| D．language learning and maths study |
| A．a researcher on language learning |
| B．a second language learner |
| C．a person who can speak two languages |
| D．an active language learner |
| A．the earlier you start to learn a second language, the higher the grey matter density is |
| B．there is no difference between a later second language learner and one who doesn’t know a second language |
| C．the experience of learning a second language has bad effect on people’s brain |
| D．the ability of learning a second language is changing all the time |
| A．learning a second language is the same as studying maths |
| B．early learning of a second language helps you a great deal in studying other subjects |
| C．Italian is the best choice for you as a second language |
| D．you’d better choose the ages between 2 and 34 to learn a second language |
